A priest friend recently told me a remarkable story. One of his cousins reported having a vivid dream in which an angel told him the family needed to exhume their grandmother’s body from a cemetery in New York and return it to her birthplace in Romania. She had been dead nearly ten years. As you might expect, the family thought it was, well, crazy. But astonishingly they exhumed her body. It was incorrupt, showing no signs of decomposition. That experience sparked healing, faith, and reconciliation throughout the family.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Joseph also receives a dream. He’s confused, afraid. But in the quiet of sleep, God speaks: “Do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home” (Matthew 1:20). When he wakes, Joseph acts. He doesn’t overanalyze or dismiss the message. He trusts, and acts.
God still speaks — not necessarily through literal dreams but through those deeper intuitions of the heart. St. Ignatius of Loyola taught that God’s voice draws us into peace, courage, and love. But we have to listen to it. Advent is a time for stillness. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we’re invited to enter that quiet space where God’s voice can be heard.
When and how do you become most receptive to God? Is it in silence? In prayer? In nature? At Mass? This week, go there. Be still. Listen. And like Joseph, have the courage to act on what God shows you. — Father John Muir ©LPi
General Mass Notes
Welcome
Good afternoon and welcome to St. Joseph,
As we begin our Liturgy, we would like to extend a special welcome to everyone visiting our Parish for the first time. We also warmly welcome all of you here this (morning/afternoon/evening). We are so grateful and blessed to have you with us. As we settle in and prepare our hearts for Mass today, please take a moment to make sure your cellphones are turned off so as to not disturb our prayer.
(wait a few seconds)
Let us take a moment now to prepare for Mass and open our hearts and minds to the
message that will hear today. The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and for...
Everyone please stand and greet those beside you.
Mass Intentions
Universal Prayer (Petitions)
A. For the Church, that we may reach out with the joy of the gospel to all those who wonder if Jesus is the one who saves us or whether they should look for another, let us pray to the Lord.
B. That the world may bloom with justice and peace, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For the prophetic voices who speak out despite persecution, derision, or apathy, to help build the kingdom of God in our community, our nation, and our world, let us pray to the Lord.
D. That we may bring God’s compassion and care to those who are disabled, especially to those who find life burdensome, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, and for (read all intentions from 1st page), let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
1. The Parish is selling Advent and Christmas reflection books, which offer simple yet enriching reflections for each day during Advent and Christmas. These can be purchased in the Parish Center for $2 each.
2. Adult Confirmation registration will take place today from 11:00am to 2:00pm in the Parish Center. Classes will be held on Thursdays from January to April, from 7pm to 9pm.
